New Delhi, Oct. 22 -- SBI Research has retained its forecast of a 50-basis-point (BPS) repo rate hike in December, citing persistent inflationary pressures, elevated crude oil prices and the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) shift towards a tighter monetary policy stance.

In a report analysing the October Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) minutes, SBI Research said the RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra's communication indicated a greater focus on future risks and the possibility of further monetary tightening.

The report outlined two possible options for the December policy: a 50-basis-point repo rate hike to 6 per cent, or a 25-basis-point increase to 5.75 per cent accompanied by an asymmetric widening of the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) c...